Method and apparatus for mining and supporting the mine roof

Abstract

A portable temporary roof support is arranged to be on a mining machine to a location beneath an unsupported portion of a mine roof. The portable temporary roof support has a plurality of piston cylinder devices that are connected by conduits to a source of fluid under pressure on the continuous mining machine. Fluid under pressure from the mining machine first extends the temporary roof support laterally to a location adjacent the entry ribs and thereafter extends the vertical portions of the temporary roof support into abutting relation with the mine roof and the mine floor to support the unsupported portion of the mine roof.

I claim: 
     
       1. A temporary roof support for use in a mine comprising, a pair of spaced parallel side beams,   a plurality of spaced parallel telescopic transverse members connecting said side beams and forming a frame member,   a first pair of leg members connected to one of said beam members in spaced relation to each other,   a second pair of leg members connected to the other of said beam members in spaced relation to each other,   each of said leg members having telescopic means to extend and retract said leg members and move said frame member into abutting relation with a mine roof and said leg members into abutting relation with a mine floor to thereby provide support for said mine roof,   support means secured to certain of said leg members and extending outwardly therefrom, said support means arranged to abut portions of a self-propelled mining machine so that said mining machine is operable to support, carry and transport said temporary roof support,   fluid pressure operated means associated with said telescopic means to extend and retract said pairs of leg members and urge said frame member into abutting relation with said roof,   a circuit for said telescopic means and said fluid pressure operated means, and   a pressure accumulator in said circuit to provide a reserve of fluid under pressure for said fluid pressure operated means.   
     
     
       2. A temporary roof support as set forth in claim 1 which includes, other telescopic means associated with said transverse members arranged to move said side beams toward and away from each other to control the lateral dimension of said frame member.   
     
     
       3. A temporary roof support as set forth in claim 1 which includes, a pressure relief valve in said circuit to limit the fluid pressure in said circuit to a preselected fluid pressure.